Modern E-commerce Platform

Overview

A full-stack e-commerce platform built with React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL, featuring product search, cart functionality, user authentication, and payment processing.

Technologies

• Frontend: React, Redux, Tailwind CSS
• Backend: Node.js, Express, PostgreSQL
• Authentication: JWT, bcrypt
• Payment Processing: Stripe API
• Deployment: Docker, AWS

Key Features

User Authentication

• Secure signup and login with JWT
• Social media authentication integration
• Password reset functionality
• Role-based access control (admin, customer)

Product Management

• Advanced product search with filters and sorting
• Product categories and tagging
• Inventory management system
• Image optimization and gallery support

Shopping Experience

• Responsive shopping cart
• Wishlist functionality
• Product recommendations
• Recently viewed products

Checkout Process

• Guest checkout option
• Multiple payment methods
• Address validation
• Order summary and confirmation

Admin Dashboard

• Sales analytics and reporting
• Order management
• Product inventory control
• Customer management

Technical Challenges

Optimizing Database Queries

One of the main challenges was optimizing database queries for product listing pages. Initially, the product listings were slow to load due to inefficient database queries, especially when filtering by multiple attributes.

Solution: Implemented database indexing for frequently queried fields and restructured the queries to use JOINs more efficiently. Also implemented query caching with Redis for popular product listings.

// Before optimization
const getProducts = async (filters) => {
  let query = "SELECT * FROM products WHERE 1=1";

  if (filters.category) {
    query += ` AND category = '${filters.category}'`;
  }
  // More filter conditions...

  return db.query(query);
};

// After optimization
const getProducts = async (filters) => {
  const queryParams = [];
  let query = `
    SELECT p.*, 
           c.name as category_name, 
           COALESCE(AVG(r.rating), 0) as average_rating
    FROM products p
    LEFT JOIN categories c ON p.category_id = c.id
    LEFT JOIN reviews r ON p.id = r.product_id
    WHERE 1=1
  `;

  if (filters.category) {
    queryParams.push(filters.category);
    query += ` AND c.name = $${queryParams.length}`;
  }
  // More optimized filter conditions...

  query += " GROUP BY p.id, c.name";

  if (filters.sort) {
    query += ` ORDER BY ${filters.sort} ${filters.order || "ASC"}`;
  }

  return db.query(query, queryParams);
};

Real-time Inventory Updates

Ensuring inventory updates in real-time across multiple sessions was challenging, especially during high-traffic periods.

Solution: Implemented WebSockets to broadcast inventory changes to all connected clients, ensuring customers always see the current stock levels.

// WebSocket implementation for real-time updates
io.on("connection", (socket) => {
  // Join product rooms for real-time updates
  socket.on("watchProduct", (productId) => {
    socket.join(`product:${productId}`);
  });

  // Leave product room
  socket.on("unwatchProduct", (productId) => {
    socket.leave(`product:${productId}`);
  });
});

// When inventory changes
const updateInventory = async (productId, newQuantity) => {
  await db.query("UPDATE products SET quantity = $1 WHERE id = $2", [
    newQuantity,
    productId,
  ]);

  // Broadcast to all clients watching this product
  io.to(`product:${productId}`).emit("inventoryUpdate", {
    productId,
    quantity: newQuantity,
  });
};

Future Improvements

• Implement machine learning for personalized product recommendations
• Add AR product visualization for mobile users
• Integrate with multiple shipping carriers for real-time shipping rates
• Develop a mobile app using React Native
• Implement A/B testing framework for conversion optimization